Pharmaceutical dispensing unit, pharmaceutical dispensing apparatus equipped with same, and method for controlling pharmaceutical dispensing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A removal head with improved performance in terms of reading pharmaceutical information. The removal head of the present invention comprises a movement path component, a first braking component, and a sensor. The movement path component moves a substantially cylindrical pharmaceutical container that has an identification label and that has been taken out of a pharmaceutical container holding cassette that holds pharmaceutical containers. The first braking component is provided to the end of the movement path component, and stops the pharmaceutical container that has moved along the movement path component at a specific location. The sensor reads the identification label of the pharmaceutical container whose movement has been stopped at a specific location by the braking component. The movement path component has a movement face that moves along the movement path of the pharmaceutical container, and the movement face has a contact component that comes into contact with the pharmaceutical container.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical dispensing unit thatis used to improve efficiency in hospital work, for example, and to apharmaceutical dispensing apparatus equipped with this unit.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventional pharmaceutical dispensing apparatuses equipped with apharmaceutical dispensing unit of this type were configured to comprisea cassette in which cylindrical pharmaceutical containers were disposed,a container removal head for removing the pharmaceutical containers fromthis cassette, a holding means for holding the pharmaceutical containerstaken out by this container removal head, and a reading device forreading pharmaceutical information attached to the pharmaceuticalcontainer (the following Patent Literature 1 is prior art that issimilar to this).

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application 2005-125013

SUMMARY

With the above-mentioned prior art, even though a reading device wasprovided for reading pharmaceutical information on the pharmaceuticalcontainer, there were situations in which the pharmaceutical informationcould not be properly read.

Specifically, when pharmaceutical information is read from apharmaceutical container, the pharmaceutical container is rotated sothat an identification label indicating the pharmaceutical informationwill face the sensing face of the reading device, but pharmaceuticalcontainers come in a wide variety of shapes, not a few of which can bedifficult to rotate. For instance, the cross section of a pharmaceuticalcontainer along its short side may be substantially elliptical, or theshape may be such that a thin line of molding material sticks out alongsubstantially the entire length (in the lengthwise direction) around theoutside of the pharmaceutical container.

Accordingly, the pharmaceutical container will not rotate smoothly evenif an attempt is made to rotate it so that the identification labelindicating pharmaceutical information that has been attached to theouter peripheral face of the pharmaceutical container will be pointedtoward the sensing face, so the identification label will notnecessarily be facing the sensing face of the reading device.

As a result, the reading device may not be able to accurately recognizethe identification label, and may not be able to properly read thepharmaceutical information on the pharmaceutical container, so thedesired level of reliability cannot be ensured.

In view of this, and in light of the above-mentioned problemsencountered with conventional pharmaceutical dispensing units, it is anobject of the present invention to provide a pharmaceutical dispensingunit with improved performance in terms of reading pharmaceuticalinformation, as well as a pharmaceutical dispensing apparatus equippedwith this unit, and a method for controlling a pharmaceutical dispensingapparatus.

To achieve this object, the pharmaceutical dispensing unit of thepresent invention comprises a movement path component, a first brakingcomponent, and a sensor. The movement path component moves asubstantially cylindrical pharmaceutical container that has a firstidentification label and has been taken out of a cassette in which thepharmaceutical container is housed. The first braking component isprovided to the end of the movement path component and stops thepharmaceutical container that has come along the movement path componentat a specific location. The sensor reads the first identification labelon the pharmaceutical container whose movement has been stopped at thespecific location by the first braking component. The movement pathcomponent has a first movement face that moves along the movement pathof the pharmaceutical container. The first movement face has a firstcontact component that comes into contact with the pharmaceuticalcontainer.

The present invention provides a pharmaceutical dispensing unit withimproved performance in terms of reading pharmaceutical information, aswell as a pharmaceutical dispensing apparatus equipped with this unit,and a method for controlling a pharmaceutical dispensing apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pharmaceutical dispensing apparatus equippedwith a removal head pertaining to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an oblique view of the pharmaceutical dispensing apparatuspertaining to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross section of the main portions of the removal head asseen in the iii-iii direction in the cross section T of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates the main parts of the removal head in thepharmaceutical dispensing apparatus pertaining to Embodiment 1 of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates the main parts of the removal head in thepharmaceutical dispensing apparatus pertaining to Embodiment 1 of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 consists of side views of the pharmaceutical container pertainingto Embodiment 1 of the present invention, with FIG. 6a being a side viewof a pharmaceutical container 9A, FIG. 6b a side view of apharmaceutical container 9B, FIG. 6c a side view of a pharmaceuticalcontainer 9C, and FIG. 6d a side view of a pharmaceutical container 9D;

FIG. 7 illustrates the main parts of the removal head in thepharmaceutical dispensing apparatus pertaining to Embodiment 1 of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 consists of simplified diagrams illustrating the operation of thecontainer detector pertaining to Embodiment 1 of the present invention,with FIG. 8a being a concept diagram of when there is no pharmaceuticalcontainer in a container detection region K, and FIG. 8b a conceptdiagram of when there is a pharmaceutical container in the containerdetection region K;

FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram of the area near a second brakingcomponent of the removal head in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 9B is a schematic diagram of the area near a second brakingcomponent of the removal head in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the control configuration of thepharmaceutical dispensing apparatus in Embodiment 1 of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 is an overall operational flowchart of the pharmaceuticaldispensing apparatus in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an oblique view illustrating the operation of the main partsof the removal head pertaining to Embodiment in the present invention;

FIG. 13 is an oblique view illustrating the operation of the main partsof the removal head pertaining to Embodiment in the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a diagram of the main parts of the removal head pertaining toa modification example of Embodiment 1 in the present invention;

FIGS. 15a to 15c are diagrams illustrating states in which the angle ofthe movement face of the removal head shown in FIG. 14 has been changed;

FIG. 16 is a schematic view of the control blocks of the pharmaceuticaldispensing apparatus pertaining to a modification example of Embodiment1 in the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a schematic view of the sensor of the removal head pertainingto a modification example of Embodiment 1 in the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a schematic view of the control blocks of the pharmaceuticaldispensing apparatus pertaining to a modification example of Embodiment1 in the present invention; and

FIG. 19 is a schematic view of the area near the second brakingcomponent of the removal head pertaining to a modification example ofEmbodiment 1 in the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described throughreference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 1. Configuration

Overview of Pharmaceutical Dispensing Apparatus

FIG. 1 is an example of a pharmaceutical dispensing apparatus, and is afront view of a pharmaceutical dispensing apparatus equipped with thepharmaceutical dispensing unit pertaining to Embodiment 1 in the presentinvention.

In FIG. 1, 1 is the main cabinet of the pharmaceutical dispensingapparatus. When the front doors 2 of this cabinet are opened as shown inFIG. 2, it is revealed that a plurality of cassette mounting slots 3 areprovided in this portion. Pharmaceutical container holding cassettes 4are mounted in these cassette mounting slots 3.

As shown in FIG. 1, a storage compartment 6 for storing empty trays 5used to dispense pharmaceutical containers is provided on the left sideof the main cabinet 1 of the pharmaceutical dispensing apparatus. Astorage compartment 7 for storing trays 5 containing dispensedpharmaceutical containers is provided on the right side of the maincabinet 1.

That is, the trays 5 stored in the storage compartment 6 are transferredto the lower part of the cassette mounting slots 3, where pharmaceuticalcontainers held in the pharmaceutical container holding cassettes 4 areput on the trays. The trays holding the pharmaceutical containers arethen stored in the storage compartment 7 as shown in FIG. 1.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, a tray 5 is transferred to thelower part of the cassette mounting slots 3 as discussed above, and thesystem goes into a standby state. In this state, a removal head 8 (anexample of a pharmaceutical dispensing unit) moves to the rear face sideof the pharmaceutical container holding cassette 4 containing apharmaceutical container of the pharmaceutical indicated byprescription, and the pharmaceutical container 9 removed by the removalhead 8 is loaded onto the tray 5 by this removal head 8 dropping.

FIG. 3 is a cross section of the main portion of the pharmaceuticaldispensing unit as seen in the arrow iii direction in the T crosssection in FIG. 2. A T cross section shows a plane parallel to the depthdirection of the pharmaceutical dispensing apparatus (from the frontface side to the rear face side), and is a plane that is perpendicularto the ground. The arrow iii indicates a direction perpendicular to theT cross section.

Removal Head 8

FIG. 4 is a diagram of the portion where the pharmaceutical containers 9are removed by the removal head 8 in this embodiment.

The configuration of this removal portion is well know, and thereforewill be described only briefly to avoid making the description toocomplicated.

When a removal lever 10 on a pharmaceutical container holding cassette 4is operated by an operating component 11 of the removal head 8, thepharmaceutical container 9 held in the pharmaceutical container holdingcassette 4 is taken out of the pharmaceutical container holding cassette4 as shown in FIG. 4, and rolls down toward a holding pocket 12 (anexample of a holding component) provided at the lower part of theremoval head 8.

After it finishes rolling, the pharmaceutical container 9 is temporarilystored in the holding pocket 12, and then it is moved from the holdingpocket 12 onto a tray 5 standing by under the removal head 8 as shown inFIG. 3.

The removal head 8 in this embodiment reads the pharmaceuticalinformation on the pharmaceutical container 9 in between from thechemical container 9 is removed from the pharmaceutical containerholding cassette 4 as discussed above to the chemical container 9 isstored in the holding pocket 12.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the removal head 8 in thisembodiment comprises a movement path component 13 that moves thepharmaceutical container 9 toward the holding pocket 12, a first brakingcomponent 14 (an example of a first braking component) that is providedto the end of the movement path component 13 to stop the pharmaceuticalcontainer 9 that has moved along this movement path component 13 at aspecific location, and a sensor 16 that reads an identification label 15(an example of a first identification label) on the pharmaceuticalcontainer 9 whose movement has been stopped at the specific location bythe first braking component 14.

Pharmaceutical Container 9

As shown in FIG. 6, the pharmaceutical container 9 can be any of a widevariety of containers of various shapes, sizes, and so forth, asindicated by the pharmaceutical container 9A, the pharmaceuticalcontainer 9B, the pharmaceutical container 9C, and the pharmaceuticalcontainer 9D, and has a substantially cylindrical shape formed bymolding a plastic, glass, or the like.

Specific pharmaceuticals are contained in the pharmaceutical containers9, and as shown in FIG. 6, identification labels 15, which indicatepharmaceutical information about the pharmaceuticals contained in thepharmaceutical containers 9 (9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D in FIG. 6), are attachedto the outer peripheral faces of the pharmaceutical containers 9 (9A,9B, 9C, and 9D in FIG. 6).

The identification labels 15 are provided by printing or otherwiseapplying a barcode or other such identification means, for example, andare affixed with an adhesive agent or the like to the pharmaceuticalcontainers 9, for example.

Overview of Movement Path Component 13

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the movement path component 13 has a movementface 17 (an example of a first movement face) that moves along themovement path of the pharmaceutical containers 9. This movement face 17comprises a contact component 18 (an example of a first contactcomponent) that comes into contact with the pharmaceutical container 9as shown in FIG. 5.

When a pharmaceutical container 9 has been taken out of a pharmaceuticalcontainer holding cassette 4, it moves toward the holding pocket 12while rolling over the movement face 17 of the movement path component13.

The configuration may also be such that the movement face 17 moves inthe opposite direction from the movement direction of the pharmaceuticalcontainers 9.

Specifically, the configuration is such that when a pharmaceuticalcontainer 9 that has been taken out of a pharmaceutical containerholding cassette 4 moves toward the holding pocket 12 while rolling overthe movement face 17 of the movement path component 13, thepharmaceutical container 9 is subjected to a force in the oppositedirection from the movement direction of the pharmaceutical container 9.This reduces the movement speed of the pharmaceutical container 9. Here,the rotational direction of the pharmaceutical container 9 iscounter-clockwise as seen from the arrow G direction in the state shownin FIG. 5, and is indicated by the arrow C in FIG. 5.

Overview of First Braking Component 14

As shown in FIG. 5, the first braking component 14 has a movement face19 (an example of a second movement face) that moves in the oppositedirection from the movement direction of the pharmaceutical container 9.This movement face 19 comprises a contact component 20 (an example of asecond contact component) that comes into contact with thepharmaceutical container 9.

Specifically, the movement of the pharmaceutical container 9 that ismoving toward the holding pocket 12 while rolling over the movement face17 of the movement path component 13 is stopped at the location wherethe pharmaceutical container 9 comes into contact with the contactcomponent 20 of the movement face 19.

That is, the configuration is such that when the pharmaceuticalcontainer 9 is moving toward the holding pocket 12 while rolling overthe movement face 17 of the movement path component 13, thepharmaceutical container 9 is subjected to a force in the oppositedirection from the movement direction of the pharmaceutical container 9.This stops the movement speed of the pharmaceutical container 9. Here,the rotational direction of the pharmaceutical container 9 iscounter-clockwise as seen from the arrow G direction in the state shownin FIG. 5, and is indicated by the arrow C in FIG. 5.

Detailed Configuration of Movement Path Component 13

More precisely, the movement path component 13 is configured as follows.

A roller 21 (an example of a first roller) is provided on thepharmaceutical container holding cassette 4 side, in between thepharmaceutical container holding cassette 4 and the first brakingcomponent 14, and a roller 22 (an example of a second roller) isprovided more toward the first braking component 14 side than the roller21. This roller 22 is positioned lower than the roller 21. That is, asshown in FIG. 4, the roller 22 is disposed closer to the holding pocket12 than the roller 21.

As shown in FIG. 5, first belts 23 go between the roller 21 and theroller 22. That is, the first belts 23 that go between the roller 21 andthe roller 22 form an inclined face that rises up to the right on theupper side of the roller 21 and the roller 22 as shown in FIG. 4. Withthe movement path component 13 configured in this way, at least one ofthe roller 21 and the roller 22 is rotationally driven, which causes thefirst belts 23 to rotate between the roller 21 and the roller 22. Inthis embodiment, the roller 22 is rotated clockwise, for example, whichcauses the first belts 23 that go between the roller 21 and the roller22 to rotate clockwise (see the arrow D in FIG. 7; discussed below).

As shown in FIG. 4, the movement face 17 is formed by moving theinclined face that rises to the right and is formed on the upper side ofthe roller 21 and the roller 22, upward and to the right.

Detailed Configuration of First Braking Component 14

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first braking component 14 isconfigured as follows.

As shown in FIG. 4, a roller 24 (an example of a third roller) isprovided to the rear of the movement face 17 in the movement directionof the pharmaceutical container 9, and a roller 25 (an example of afourth roller) is provided to the rear of this roller 24. The roller 25is disposed above the roller 24. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the roller25 is disposed farther away from the holding pocket 12 than the roller24.

As shown in FIG. 5, second belts 26 go between the roller 24 and theroller 25. That is, the second belts 26 that go between the roller 24and the roller 25 form an inclined face that descends to the right onthe upper side of the roller 24 and the roller 25 as shown in FIG. 4.

With the first braking component 14 thus configured, at least one of theroller 24 and the roller 25 is rotationally driven to rotate the secondbelts 26 between the roller 24 and the roller 25. In this embodiment,for example, the roller 24 is rotated clockwise, and the second belts 26that go between the roller 24 and the roller 25 are also rotatedclockwise (see the arrow E in FIG. 7, discussed below).

As shown in FIG. 4, the inclined face that slopes down to the right andis formed on the upper side of the roller 24 and the roller 25 is moveddownward and to the right to form the movement face 19.

Layout Relation Between Movement Path Component 13 and First BrakingComponent 14

Next, the layout relation between the first belts 23 and the secondbelts 26 will be described. FIG. 7 is an oblique view of the movementpath component 13 and the first braking component 14 as seen from above.

As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of the first belts 23 are provided, andthese first belts 23 are wound between the roller 21 and the roller 22at a specific spacing. A plurality of the second belts 26 are provided,and these second belts 26 are wound between the roller 24 and the roller25 at a specific spacing.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, the ends 23A of the first belts 23 aredisposed in the specific gaps between the second belts 26, and the ends26A of the second belts 26 are disposed in the specific gaps between thefirst belts 23. The configuration is thus such that the ends 23A of thefirst belts 23 and the ends 26A of the second belts 26 intersect in themovement direction of the pharmaceutical container 9. In other words, itcan be said that the ends 23A and the ends 26A are disposed alternatingin the direction perpendicular to the movement direction.

With this configuration, part of the outer peripheral part of thepharmaceutical container 9 can reliably be in contact with at least oneof the first belts 23 and the second belts 26 even with a shape having athin protrusion in the lengthwise direction at the outer peripheral partof the pharmaceutical container 9, for example. Therefore, thepharmaceutical container 9 can be rotated more reliably, theidentification label 15 of the pharmaceutical container 9 can be pointedin the direction of the sensor 16, and the identification label 15 ofthe pharmaceutical container 9 can be read more reliably by the sensor16.

Here, at least one of the first belts 23 and the second belts 26 may berubber belts. Using rubber belts raises the coefficient of frictionbetween the pharmaceutical container 9 and the belts, so thepharmaceutical container 9 can be rotated more reliably.

Driver 27, Arm 28, and Arm 29

As shown in FIG. 4, the removal head 8 also comprises a driver 27. Thedriver 27 is configured so that an arm 28 (an example of a first arm)connected to the movement path component 13 can be driven in thedirection of the arrow A shown in FIG. 4. More precisely, as shown inFIG. 5, the arm 28 is an L-shaped member and has a first member 28 a anda second member 28 b. The first member 28 a is disposed along themovement path component 13, and to the side of the movement pathcomponent 13, and is fixed to the movement path component 13. The secondmember 28 b is disposed so as to extend from the end of the first member28 a on the roller 21 side toward the driver 27. The driver 27 isconstituted by a motor, a gear, etc., for example, and is linked to thesecond member 28 b and rotates the second member 28 b around arotational shaft 28 s at the upper end thereof. When the second member28 b is rotated in the arrow A direction, the movement path component 13fixed to the first member 28 a also moves in the arrow A direction.

Furthermore, the driver 27 is configured so that an arm 29 (an exampleof a second arm) connected to the first braking component 14 can bedriven in the direction of the arrow B shown in FIG. 4. More precisely,as shown in FIG. 5, the arm 29 is an L-shaped member and has a firstmember 29 a and a second member 29 b. The first member 29 a is disposedalong the first braking component 14, and to the side of the firstbraking component 14, and is fixed to the first braking component 14.The second member 29 b is disposed so as to extend from the end of thefirst member 29 a on the roller 25 side toward the driver 27. The secondmember 29 b is linked to the driver 27, and the driver 27 rotates thesecond member 29 b around a rotational shaft 29 s at the upper endthereof. When the second member 29 b rotates in the arrow B direction,the first braking component 14 fixed to the first member 29 a alsorotates in the arrow B direction.

That is, the removal head 8 is configured so that the space between themovement path component 13 and the first braking component 14 can beopened and closed by the driver 27.

In this embodiment, it was described that the arm 28 connected to themovement path component 13 and the arm 29 connected to the first brakingcomponent 14 are both driven to open and close the space between themovement path component 13 and the first braking component 14, but justthe movement path component 13 or the first braking component 14 may bemoved to open and close the space between the movement path component 13and the first braking component 14.

Container Detector 30 and Vibrator 32

As shown in FIG. 5, the removal head 8 also comprises a containerdetector 30. FIGS. 8a and 8b are schematic diagrams of the configurationof the container detector 30. In this embodiment, a transmission type ofopto-electric sensor is used, for example, as the container detector 30,and the container detector 30 has a light projector 30 a that emitslight and a light receiver 30 b that receives light from the lightprojector 30 a. The container detector 30 is disposed so that acontainer detection region K of the container detector 30 (the regionbetween the light projector 30 a and the light receiver 30 b) is overthe contact component 20 of the first braking component 14 (see FIG. 8a). When the pharmaceutical container 9 is within the container detectionregion K, as shown in FIG. 8b , light from the light projector 30 a isblocked, so the presence of the pharmaceutical container 9 can bedetected.

Therefore, the container detector 30 can confirm whether or not thepharmaceutical container 9 is on the contact component 20.

As shown in FIG. 3, the pharmaceutical dispensing apparatus of thepresent invention comprises the vibrator 32, which is provided to aremoval head movement component 31 that moves the removal head 8.

If the container detector 30 detects the pharmaceutical container 9,that is, if the container detector 30 confirms that the pharmaceuticalcontainer 9 is present in the gap portion between the movement pathcomponent 13 and the first braking component 14, the pharmaceuticaldispensing apparatus of this embodiment vibrates the vibrator 32provided to the removal head movement component 31 that moves theremoval head 8, and vibrates the entire removal head 8.

Thus vibrating the vibrator 32 and vibrating the entire removal head 8allows the pharmaceutical container 9 that was standing up in theholding pocket 12 to be laid down on its side in the holding pocket 12.Specifically, the pharmaceutical container 9 can be put in a state inwhich it will pass more reliably through the gap between the movementpath component 13 and the first braking component 14.

Second Braking Component 33

As shown in FIG. 4, the pharmaceutical dispensing apparatus in thisembodiment also comprises a second braking component 33 (an example of asecond braking component).

That is, the pharmaceutical dispensing apparatus in this embodiment isconfigured to further comprise the second braking component 33, whichtemporarily stops the movement of the pharmaceutical container 9 at aspecific location between the first braking component 14 and thepharmaceutical container holding cassette 4.

The second braking component 33 is formed by a flat elastic body, forexample, and as shown in FIG. 4, the lower end 34 is located near theupper face of a guide path 37 disposed between the removal lever 10 andthe movement path component 13. FIG. 9A is a simplified detail view ofthe area near the second braking component 33. As shown in FIG. 9A, thegap d1 between the upper face of the guide path 37 and the end 34 of thesecond braking component 33 should be less than half the diameter of thepharmaceutical container 9, for example. This allows the movement of thepharmaceutical container 9 to the movement path component 13 to bestopped.

The second braking component 33 is configured so that the end 34 ismoved away from the guide path 37 by a braking driver 36 (an example ofa second driver). For example, the braking driver 36 is constituted by amotor and a gear, etc., and the second braking component 33 is linked tothe braking driver 36 via a linking component 38. In FIG. 9A, thelinking component 38 is rotated around its upper shaft 38 a by thebraking driver 36, and the second braking component 33 is fixed to thelower part of the linking component 38.

FIG. 9B shows a state in which the second braking component 33 has movedfrom near the area above the guide path 37. As shown in FIG. 9B, if thesecond braking component 33 rotates to the movement path component 13side (see the arrow B), the distance d2 by which the end 34 of thesecond braking component 33 moves away from the movement path component13 should be greater than the diameter of the pharmaceutical container9. Doing this allows the pharmaceutical container 9, whose movement hasbeen stopped by the second braking component 33, to be moved downwardagain.

Thus providing the second braking component 33 allows the pharmaceuticalcontainer 9 that has rolled out of the pharmaceutical container holdingcassette 4 to be temporarily stopped by the second braking component 33.That is, since the second braking component 33 can temporarily stop themovement of the pharmaceutical container 9, the movement speed of thepharmaceutical container 9 can subsequently be reduced as it reaches thecontact component 20 of the first braking component 14.

Therefore, this prevents a situation in which the movement speed of thepharmaceutical container 9 is too high as it reaches the contactcomponent 20 of the first braking component 14, causing it to go up andover the first braking component 14, or the pharmaceutical container 9is damaged by the impact resulting when the pharmaceutical container 9is stopped by the first braking component 14.

Control System of Pharmaceutical Dispensing Apparatus

FIG. 10 is a control block diagram of the pharmaceutical dispensingapparatus in this embodiment.

The pharmaceutical dispensing apparatus in this embodiment comprises acontroller 40. As shown in FIG. 9, the controller 40 controls theoperation of the sensor 16, the container detector 30, the roller 22,the roller 24, the driver 27, the braking driver 36, the removal headmovement component 31, the operating component 11, the vibrator 32, andso on. The braking driver 36 drives the second braking component 33.

To describe this in further detail, the controller 40 stops theoperation of the roller 22 and the roller 24 upon receiving the readingresult of the identification label 15 by the sensor 16. Furthermore, thecontroller 40 receives the detection result from the container detector30, and operates the vibrator 32 when the presence of the pharmaceuticalcontainer 9 is detected.

2. Operation

With the pharmaceutical dispensing apparatus in this embodiment,configured as above, when a pharmaceutical container is dispensed usingthe removal head 8 shown in FIG. 4 (an example of a pharmaceuticaldispensing unit), the following operation is executed.

Overview of Operation of Pharmaceutical Dispensing Apparatus

First, as shown in FIG. 4, an operation is executed to take thepharmaceutical container 9 out of the pharmaceutical container holdingcassette 4, but since this operation is a well known operation, it willonly be described briefly, to avoid making the description overlycomplicated.

That is, when the removal lever 10 of the pharmaceutical containerholding cassette 4 is operated by the operating component 11, thepharmaceutical container 9 held in the pharmaceutical container holdingcassette 4 is taken out of the pharmaceutical container holding cassette4 as shown in FIG. 4, and rolls toward the movement path component 13shown in FIG. 5 via the removal lever 10 and the guide path 37.

When the pharmaceutical container 9 reaches the movement path component13 and comes into contact with the movement face 17 of the movement pathcomponent 13, the pharmaceutical container 9 is following over themovement face 17 of the movement path component 13 while beingdecelerated, while its rotation in the counter-clockwise direction inFIG. 4 (see the arrow C in FIG. 5) is assisted.

That is, in this embodiment, the movement face 17 of the movement pathcomponent 13 moves upward and to the right in FIG. 4, and moves in theopposite direction from the movement direction of the pharmaceuticalcontainer 9 as it rolls out of the pharmaceutical container holdingcassette 4. Therefore, contact between the movement face 17 and thepharmaceutical container 9 exerts a force on the pharmaceuticalcontainer 9 in the direction that hinders its rolling, and this reducesits movement speed.

The pharmaceutical container 9 is moving downward and to the left inFIG. 4 over the movement face 17 of the movement path component 13 whilebeing decelerated until it reaches the first braking component 14provided to the end of the movement path component 13. That is, thepharmaceutical container 9 is moved by the action of gravity.

Once the pharmaceutical container 9 reaches the first braking component14, the movement of the pharmaceutical container 9 is stopped. That is,as shown in FIG. 4, the movement face 19 of the first braking component14 is formed as an inclined face that slopes downward and to the rightso as to impede the movement of the pharmaceutical container 9, and themovement of the pharmaceutical container 9 is stopped by this movementface 19.

In this case, if the angle of the movement face 19 of the first brakingcomponent 14 is increased so that it is close to vertical, the movingpharmaceutical container 9 will be more reliably stopped at the movementface 19, but on the other hand, the pharmaceutical container 9 will besubjected to a greater impact when its movement is stopped, and this canlead to damage of the pharmaceutical container 9.

In contrast, if the angle of the movement face 19 of the first brakingcomponent 14 is decreased so that it is close to horizontal, thepharmaceutical container 9 will be subjected to less impact when itsmovement is stopped, but on the other hand, the moving pharmaceuticalcontainer 9 will be less reliably stopped at the movement face 19. Thatis, the energy at which the pharmaceutical container 9 moves will begreater, and this can cause the pharmaceutical container 9 to go up andover the first braking component 14.

In order to solve the above-mentioned mutually conflicting problems, inthis embodiment the movement face 19 of the first braking component 14is further moved downward and to the right in FIG. 4, and is moved inthe opposite direction from the movement direction of the pharmaceuticalcontainer 9 that rolls out of the pharmaceutical container holdingcassette 4. Therefore, when the movement face 19 and the pharmaceuticalcontainer 9 come into contact, a force is exerted on the pharmaceuticalcontainer 9 in the direction that hinders movement, so this movement canbe effectively stopped.

The result of this is that the angle of the movement face 19 of thefirst braking component 14 can be reduced to decrease the impact towhich the pharmaceutical container 9 is subjected when its movementstops, and the moving pharmaceutical container 9 can be more reliablystopped at the movement face 19.

In a state in which the movement of the pharmaceutical container 9 hasbeen stopped by the first braking component 14, the contact component 18of the movement face 17 comes into contact with the outer peripheralpart of the pharmaceutical container 9 and rotates the pharmaceuticalcontainer 9. In this embodiment, the movement face 17 moves upward andto the right in FIG. 4, and the pharmaceutical container 9 is rotatedcounter-clockwise by the contact component 18.

The identification label 15 affixed to the pharmaceutical container 9 ispointed toward the sensor 16 shown in FIG. 4 as the pharmaceuticalcontainer 9 rotates. That is, in this embodiment it is pointed upward inFIG. 4.

The sensor 16 reads pharmaceutical information about the pharmaceuticalheld in the pharmaceutical container 9 from the identification label 15affixed to the pharmaceutical container 9.

Once the pharmaceutical information on the pharmaceutical container 9has been read by the sensor 16 and it has been confirmed that it matchesthe pharmaceutical indicated by the prescription, the pharmaceuticalcontainer 9 is put into the holding pocket 12.

Specifically, in this embodiment the driver 27 is provided to produce aspecific gap between the first braking component 14 and the end 13 a ofthe movement path component 13. That is, this driver 27 produces aspecific gap between the first braking component 14 and the end 13 a ofthe movement path component 13 by moving the movement path component 13to the right in FIG. 4 (see the arrow A direction), for example.

The gap produced by the driver 27 should be enough to provide a spacethat is larger than the width of the pharmaceutical container 9 in thedirection that is perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of thepharmaceutical container 9.

The pharmaceutical container 9 is then allowed to freely roll downthrough the space produced by the driver 27, and drops into the holdingpocket 12 provided under the first braking component 14. Thepharmaceutical container 9 is temporarily held stored in this holdingpocket 12.

After the set of pharmaceutical containers 9 indicated by theprescription have been put into the holding pocket 12 by this sameoperation, the pharmaceutical containers 9 are put on the trays 5 bylowering the removal head 8 as discussed above through reference to FIG.3.

Detailed Operation of Pharmaceutical Dispensing Apparatus

The operation of the removal head 8 in this embodiment, and apharmaceutical dispensing apparatus comprising the removal head 8, willnow be described in detail. FIG. 11 shows the operational flow of thepharmaceutical dispensing apparatus in this embodiment. As shown in FIG.11, the operation of the removal head 8 in this embodiment can bebroadly broken down into the following steps 1 to 12.

(1) First removal head movement step S100

(2) Cassette dispensing operation step S200

(3) Second braking component drive step S301

(4) Rotation commencement step S302

(5) First identification label reading step S303

(6) Rotation stopping step S400

(7) Driver first drive step S500

(8) Container detection step S600

(9) Vibrator drive step S601

(10) Driver second drive step S700

(11) Second removal head movement step S800

(12) Tray dispensing operation step S900

The above-mentioned steps 1 to 12 will now be described in detail.

(1) First Removal Head Movement Step S100

First, the controller 40 drives the removal head movement component 31shown in FIG. 3, and moves the removal head 8 to the rear face at thelocation of the pharmaceutical container holding cassette 4 that storesthe pharmaceutical container 9 indicated from outside the pharmaceuticaldispensing apparatus, or more specifically, the one indicated by aprescription, etc.

(2) Cassette Dispensing Operation Step S200

After the first removal head movement step S100 discussed above, thecontroller 40 operates the removal lever 10 of the pharmaceuticalcontainer holding cassette 4 with the operating component 11 of theremoval head 8 as shown in FIG. 4. This operation causes thepharmaceutical container 9 held in the pharmaceutical container holdingcassette 4 to be taken out to the removal head 8 side from thepharmaceutical container holding cassette 4.

(3) Second Braking Component Drive Step S301

Next, the second braking component drive step S301 will be described.

After the cassette dispensing operation step S200, the controller 40performs the second braking component drive step S301 simultaneouslywith the below mentioned rotation commencement step S302 and therotation commencement step S302.

After the pharmaceutical container 9 has been taken out of thepharmaceutical container holding cassette 4, the pharmaceuticalcontainer 9 is temporarily stopped (see FIG. 9A) by the end 34 of thesecond braking component 33 (an example of a second braking component)provided to the removal head 8. Specifically, the braking driver 36 iscontrolled by the controller 40 so that the end 34 of the second brakingcomponent 33 is located near the upper face of the guide path 37. Afterthis, the controller 40 drives the second braking component 33 to form aspace at the end 34 of the second braking component 33, and moves(rolls) the temporarily stopped pharmaceutical container 9 to themovement path component 13 side.

(4) Rotation Commencement Step S302

After the cassette dispensing operation step S200, the controller 40performs the rotation commencement step S302 simultaneously with theabove mentioned second braking component drive step S301 and the belowmentioned first identification label reading step S303.

In this second braking component drive step S301, the controller 40drives the roller 22 shown in FIG. 4, and continuously moves themovement face 17 of the movement path component 13 upward and to theright in FIG. 4 (see the arrow D in FIG. 7). This reduces the movementspeed (rolling speed) of the pharmaceutical container 9 when it moves(rolls) from the end 34 of the second braking component 33. Along withthis, the pharmaceutical container 9 is rotated at the contact component20 of the first braking component 14 within the removal head 8.

Furthermore, at the same time, in the steps of this embodiment, thecontroller 40 drives the roller 24 and continuously moves the movementface 19 of the first braking component 14 (an example of a first brakingcomponent) downward and to the right in FIG. 4 (see the arrow E in FIG.7). Specifically, it is continuously moved in the opposite directionfrom the movement direction of the pharmaceutical container 9 as itrolls down from the second braking component 33 side. This stops thepharmaceutical container 9 at the contact component 20 of the firstbraking component 14 within the removal head 8, and also allows thepharmaceutical container 9 to be rotated more stably.

In the initial state of this step, the space between the movement pathcomponent 13 and the first braking component 14 is closed, so in thisstep the pharmaceutical container 9 does not drop down (move) toward theholding pocket 12.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in this embodiment, in a state inwhich the pharmaceutical container 9 is stopped at a position where itis in contact with the contact component 20 of the first brakingcomponent 14 within the removal head 8, the roller 22 is rotated, whichmoves the movement face 17 upward and to the right in FIG. 4, that is,in the reverse direction from the direction in which the pharmaceuticalcontainer 9 moves over the movement face 17 from the pharmaceuticalcontainer holding cassette 4 side to the holding pocket 12 side. Thisallows the pharmaceutical container 9 to be rotated on the contactcomponent 20 of the first braking component 14 within the removal head8. In this embodiment, rotation is the counter-clockwise direction, asshown in FIG. 5.

(5) First Identification Label Reading Step S303

After the above-mentioned cassette dispensing operation step S200, thecontroller 40 performs the first identification label reading step S303simultaneously with the above-mentioned second braking component drivestep S301 and the rotation commencement step S302.

In this second braking component drive step S301, the controller 40controls the sensor 16 and reads the identification label 15 on therotating pharmaceutical container 9.

(6) Rotation Stopping Step S400

When the controller 40 performs the above-mentioned first identificationlabel reading step S303, and reads the identification label 15 on therotating pharmaceutical container 9, the controller 40 stops therotation of the roller 22 and the roller 24, which were rotated in theabove-mentioned rotation commencement step S302.

This stops the rotation of the pharmaceutical container 9 that wasrotating on the contact component 20 of the first braking component 14.

(7) Driver First Drive Step S500

When the controller 40 performs the above-mentioned rotation stoppingstep S400 and confirms that the rotation of the roller 22 and the roller24 has stopped, it drives the driver 27 to produce a specific spacebetween the first braking component 14 and the end 13 a of the movementpath component 13. That is, a space is opened up between the movementpath component 13 and then first braking component 14. This causes thepharmaceutical container 9 stopped at a position in contact with thecontact component 20 of the first braking component 14 to drop downtoward the holding pocket 12 provided under the first braking component14, and the pharmaceutical container 9 is held in the holding pocket 12.

(8) Container Detection Step S600

After the controller 40 performs the above-mentioned first drive stepS500 for the driver 27, and opens up a space between the movement pathcomponent 13 and the first braking component 14, it controls thecontainer detector 30 to detect whether or not the pharmaceuticalcontainer 9 is in the container detection region K (whether it ispresent or absent).

The container detector 30 here is disposed so that the containerdetection region K of the container detector 30 is on the contactcomponent 20 of the first braking component 14, as discussed above (seeFIG. 8).

Doing this confirms whether or not the pharmaceutical container 9 isheld in the holding pocket 12.

That is, as shown in FIG. 12, in the driver first drive step S500 andthe container detection step S600, a space is opened up between themovement path component 13 and the first braking component 14, that is,there is a space S between the movement path component 13 and the firstbraking component 14, so the pharmaceutical container 9 drops throughthis space into the holding pocket 12. Therefore, in the ordinary stateshown in FIG. 12, the container detector 30 detects that thepharmaceutical container 9 is not on the contact component 20 of thefirst braking component 14, or in other words, that there is nopharmaceutical container 9 in the space S portion between the movementpath component 13 and the first braking component 14. After this, thecontroller 40 drives the driver 27 to close up the space between themovement path component 13 and the first braking component 14.

After the container detector 30 has detected that there is nopharmaceutical container 9, the driver 27 is driven so as to close upthe space between the movement path component 13 and the first brakingcomponent 14, and this reliably confirms whether or not thepharmaceutical container 9 has moved (been dispensed) into the holdingpocket 12. Also, since the space between the movement path component 13and the first braking component 14 is closed once the absence of apharmaceutical container 9 has been confirmed, damage to thepharmaceutical container 9 can be prevented. As a result, thepharmaceutical container 9 can be moved (dispensed) more reliably intothe holding pocket 12.

There may be variance in how long it takes the pharmaceutical container9 to drop into the holding pocket 12 due to differences in the shape,size, and weight of the pharmaceutical containers 9, but if no containerdetector 30 were provided, the pharmaceutical container 9 that takes thelongest time to drop would have to be used as a reference. Specifically,even if a pharmaceutical container 9 with a short drop time is used, thespace between the movement path component 13 and the first brakingcomponent 14 will have to be closed after waiting for the longest droptime to elapse. However, if the system is controlled so that the driver27 is driven and the space between the movement path component 13 andthe first braking component 14 is closed after the container detector 30has detected that there is no pharmaceutical container 9, then the spacebetween the movement path component 13 and the first braking component14 can be closed up as soon as possible, so the time it takes todispense the pharmaceutical containers 9 can be shortened.

(9) Vibrator Drive Step S601

The controller 40 performs the container detection step S600, anddetects whether or not a pharmaceutical container 9 is in the containerdetection region K (whether it is present or absent). However, asmentioned above, usually the pharmaceutical container 9 goes through thespace between the movement path component 13 and the first brakingcomponent 14 and is held in the holding pocket 12 in a state in which itis lying on its side (see FIG. 12). Therefore, in the ordinary operatingstate in which the pharmaceutical container 9 drops into the holdingpocket 12, the pharmaceutical container 9 will never be detected to bewithin the container detection region K in the above-mentioned containerdetection step S600.

However, as shown in FIG. 13, the pharmaceutical container 9 may notcompletely pass through the space between the movement path component 13and the first braking component 14, such as when the pharmaceuticalcontainer 9 is standing up in the holding pocket 12. In such a case, thecontroller 40 uses the container detector 30 to detect that thepharmaceutical container 9 is within the container detection region K.

Thus, in the above-mentioned container detection step S600, if thepharmaceutical container 9 is detected within the container detectionregion K, the controller 40 drives the vibrator 32 (shown in FIG. 3) andvibrates the entire removal head 8 (S601).

Thus vibrating the vibrator 32 and vibrating the entire removal head 8knocks over the pharmaceutical container 9 that was standing upright inthe holding pocket 12, and allows it to lie on its side in the holdingpocket 12. Specifically, a state can be achieved in which thepharmaceutical container 9 more reliably passes through the space Sbetween the movement path component 13 and the first braking component14. That is, a state can be achieved in which the pharmaceuticalcontainer 9 is not in the container detection region K, as shown in FIG.12.

After the vibrator drive step S601 has thus been performed, thecontroller 40 performs the above-mentioned container detection stepS600, and confirms that the pharmaceutical container 9 is not in thecontainer detection region K.

(10) Driver Second Drive Step S700

After the controller 40 performs the above-mentioned container detectionstep S600 and detects that the pharmaceutical container 9 is not in thecontainer detection region K, it drives the driver 27 shown in FIG. 5and closes up the space between the movement path component 13 and thefirst braking component 14.

(11) Second Removal Head Movement Step S800

After the controller 40 has performed the above-mentioned containerdetection step S600 and closed up the space between the movement pathcomponent 13 and the first braking component 14, it drives the removalhead movement component 31 and moves the removal head 8 over the tray 5as shown in FIG. 3.

(12) Tray Dispensing Operation Step S900

After the controller 40 has performed the above-mentioned second removalhead movement step S800 and moved the removal head 8 over the tray 5, itdrives the holding pocket 12 to move (dispense) the pharmaceuticalcontainer 9 inside the holding pocket 12 into the tray 5.

As discussed above, in this embodiment, the movement of thepharmaceutical container 9 that has moved along the movement pathcomponent 13 is stopped at a specific location by the first brakingcomponent 14, and the pharmaceutical container 9 is rotated by thecontact component 18 having the movement face 17. That is, since themovement face 17 moves along the movement path of the pharmaceuticalcontainer 9, the pharmaceutical container 9 can be smoothly rotated bythe contact component 18.

Therefore, the identification label 15 can be pointed toward the sensor16 by rotating the pharmaceutical container 9, and the identificationlabel 15 on the pharmaceutical container 9 can be read more reliably bythe sensor 16, the result of which is better reliability.

Also, because the removal head 8 (an example of a pharmaceuticaldispensing unit) is provided with the movement path component 13 thatmoves the pharmaceutical container 9 removed from the pharmaceuticalcontainer holding cassette 4, the first braking component 14 that isprovided to the end 13 a of the movement path component 13 that stopsthe pharmaceutical container 9 that has moved along the movement pathcomponent 13 at a specific location, the driver 27 that drops thepharmaceutical container 9 by driving at least one of the movement pathcomponent 13 and the first braking component 14 and opening and closingthe space between the movement path component 13 and the first brakingcomponent 14, the container detector 30 that detects the presence orabsence of the pharmaceutical container 9 at the above-mentionedspecific location, and a controller that controls the driver 27according to the result of the container detector 30, it can beconfirmed whether or not the movement (dispensing) of pharmaceuticalcontainers in a pharmaceutical dispensing apparatus has been performedproperly.

3. Main Features

(3-1)

The removal head 8 (an example of a pharmaceutical dispensing unit) inthis embodiment comprises the movement path component 13, the firstbraking component 14 (an example of a first braking component), and thesensor 16. The movement path component 13 moves the pharmaceuticalcontainer 9 removed from the pharmaceutical container holding cassette 4(an example of a cassette) that holds a substantially cylindricalpharmaceutical container 9 having an identification label 15 (an exampleof a first identification label) indicating pharmaceutical information.The first braking component 14 is provided to the end 13 a of themovement path component 13, and stops the pharmaceutical container 9that has moved along the movement path component 13 at a specificlocation. The sensor 16 reads the identification label 15 on thepharmaceutical container 9 whose movement has been stopped at a specificlocation by the first braking component 14. The movement path component13 has the movement face 17 (an example of a first movement face) thatmoves along the movement path of the pharmaceutical container 9, and themovement face 17 has the contact component 18 (an example of a firstcontact component) that comes into contact with the pharmaceuticalcontainer 9.

The “specific location” can be considered a location on the end 13 a ofthe movement path component 13, where there is contact with the firstbraking component 14.

Consequently, the movement of the pharmaceutical container 9 that hasmoved along the movement path component is stopped at a specificlocation by the first braking component 14, and the pharmaceuticalcontainer 9 is rotated by the contact component 18 which the movementface 17 has. That is, since the movement face 17 moves along themovement path of the pharmaceutical container 9, the pharmaceuticalcontainer 9 can be smoothly rotated by the contact component 18.

Therefore, the identification label 15 can be pointed toward the sensor16, the performance of the sensor 16 in reading the identification label15 on the pharmaceutical container 9 is enhanced, and as a resultreliability can be improved.

(3-2)

The movement face 17 in the removal head 8 (an example of apharmaceutical dispensing unit) in this embodiment moves in the oppositedirection from the movement direction of the pharmaceutical container 9.

Consequently, when the pharmaceutical container 9 removed from thepharmaceutical container holding cassette 4 moves while rolling over themovement face 17 of the movement path component 13, a force is exertedon the pharmaceutical container 9 in the opposite direction from themovement direction of the pharmaceutical container 9. Accordingly, themovement speed of the pharmaceutical container 9 can be reduced, and itcan be stopped more reliably at a specific location.

(3-3)

The first braking component 14 in the removal head 8 (an example of apharmaceutical dispensing unit) in this embodiment has the movement face19 (an example of a second movement face) that moves in the oppositedirection from the movement direction of the pharmaceutical container 9,and the movement face 19 has the contact component 20 (an example of asecond contact component) that comes into contact with thepharmaceutical container 9.

Consequently, when the pharmaceutical container 9 moves while rollingover the movement face 17 of the movement path component 13, the firstbraking component 14 exerts a force on the pharmaceutical container 9 inthe opposite direction from the movement direction of the pharmaceuticalcontainer 9.

The movement of the pharmaceutical container 9 can be reduced and thepharmaceutical container 9 can be stopped more reliably at a specificlocation, and the rotation direction of the pharmaceutical container 9in the state shown in FIG. 5 is counter-clockwise as seen in the arrow Gdirection, the pharmaceutical container 9 can be rotated, and theperformance of the sensor 16 in reading the identification label 15 onthe pharmaceutical container 9 can be improved.

(3-4)

The movement path component 13 of the removal head 8 in the aboveembodiment has the roller 21 (an example of a first roller), the roller22 (an example of a second roller), and the first belts 23 (an exampleof first belts). The roller 21 is provided on the pharmaceuticalcontainer holding cassette 4 side, between the first braking component14 and the pharmaceutical container holding cassette 4. The roller 22 isprovided lower than the roller 21 and more to the first brakingcomponent 14 side than the roller 21. The first belts 23 go between theroller 21 and the roller 22. At least one of the roller 21 and theroller 22 is driven to rotate the first belts 23 between the roller 21and the first belts 23, and this forms the movement face 17.

Because the movement face 17 can be formed in this way, thepharmaceutical container 9 can be moved while decelerating.

(3-5)

Also, the first braking component 14 of the removal head 8 in the aboveembodiment has the roller 24 (an example of a third roller), the roller25 (an example of a fourth roller), and the second belts 26. The roller24 is provided to the rear of the movement face 17 in the movementdirection of the pharmaceutical container 9. The roller 25 is providedat a location that is above the roller 24 and further to the rear of theroller 24. The second belts 26 go between the roller 24 and the roller25. At least one of the roller 24 and the roller 25 is driven to rotatethe second belts 26 between the roller 24 and the roller 25, and thisforms the movement face 19.

Because the movement face 19 can be formed in this way, thepharmaceutical container 9 can be stopped more reliably at a specificlocation.

(3-6)

Also, with the removal head 8 in the above embodiment, a plurality ofthe first belts 23 are provided, and these first belts 23 go between theroller 21 and the roller 22, separated from each other at a specificspacing. A plurality of the second belts 26 are provided, and thesesecond belts 26 go between the roller 24 and the roller 25, separatedfrom each other at a specific spacing. Consequently, the movement face17 and the movement face 19 are formed so as to be divided.

(3-7)

Also, as shown in FIG. 7, with the removal head 8 in the aboveembodiment, the ends 23A of the first belts 23 are disposed in thespaces in between the second belts 26, and the ends 26A of the secondbelts 26 are disposed in the spaces in between the first belts 23. Theends 23A of the first belts 23 and the ends 26A of the second belts 26intersect when viewed in a direction parallel to both the movement face17 and the movement face 19.

Thus disposing the ends 23A of the first belts 23 and the ends 26A ofthe second belts 26 alternating in a direction perpendicular to themovement direction of the pharmaceutical container 9 allows the forceexerted on the pharmaceutical container 9 by the first belts 23 and theforce exerted on the pharmaceutical container 9 by the second belts 26to be substantially equal along the lengthwise direction of thepharmaceutical container 9, and allows the pharmaceutical container 9 tobe rotated stably around a direction perpendicular to the movementdirection.

(3-8)

Also, the removal head 8 in the above embodiment further comprises thesecond braking component 33 (an example of a second braking component)that temporarily stops the movement of the pharmaceutical container 9 ata specific location between the first braking component 14 and thepharmaceutical container holding cassette 4.

Thus temporarily stopping the pharmaceutical container 9 between thefirst braking component 14 and the pharmaceutical container holdingcassette 4 allows the movement speed of the pharmaceutical container 9to be reduced, so the pharmaceutical container 9 can be stopped morereliably.

(3-9)

Also, the removal head 8 in the above embodiment comprises the driver 27and the holding pocket 12 (an example of a holding component). Thedriver 27 produces a specific space between the first braking component14 and the end 13 a of the movement path component 13. The holdingpocket 12 holds the pharmaceutical container 9 that has dropped in fromthe specific space produced by the driver 27.

Thus creating a specific space between the first braking component 14and the end 13 a of the movement path component 13 allows thepharmaceutical container 9 to be put directly in the holding pocket 12from the specific location where the pharmaceutical container 9 hasstopped for the purpose of sensing the identification label 15.

(3-10)

Also, the pharmaceutical dispensing apparatus in the above embodimentcomprises the removal head 8 and the controller 40. The removal head 8has the driver 27 and the container detector 30. The driver 27 drives atleast one of the movement path component 13 and the first brakingcomponent 14 to open and close the space between the movement pathcomponent 13 and the first braking component 14, which allows thepharmaceutical container 9 to drop. The container detector 30 detectsthe presence or absence of the pharmaceutical container 9 at thespecific location. The controller 40 controls the driver 27 according tothe detection result from the container detector.

Consequently, if the pharmaceutical container 9 does not drop from thespecific location into the holding pocket 12, for example, the closingup of the space between the movement path component 13 and the firstbraking component 14 can be prevented, and this helps avoid damage tothe pharmaceutical container 9 and so forth.

(3-11)

The pharmaceutical dispensing apparatus in this embodiment furthercomprises the vibrator 32 that vibrates at least one of the movementpath component 13 and the first braking component 14. The controller 40puts the space between the movement path component 13 and the firstbraking component 14 into an open state, and drives the vibrator 32 whenthe container detector 30 has detected a pharmaceutical container 9.

Consequently, even if the pharmaceutical container 9 has not droppeddown through the space between the movement path component 13 and thefirst braking component 14, vibration can be applied to drop thatpharmaceutical container 9 into the holding pocket 12. Accordingly,there is no need for the user to take out the pharmaceutical container9, etc., which makes the apparatus more convenient to use.

(3-12)

The method for controlling the pharmaceutical dispensing apparatus inthis embodiment is a method for controlling a pharmaceutical dispensingapparatus having the movement path component 13 and the first brakingcomponent 14, and comprises the cassette dispensing operation step S200(an example of a removal step), the rotation commencement step S302 (anexample of a movement step), and the first identification label readingstep S303 (an example of a reading step). The movement path component 13moves a substantially cylindrical pharmaceutical container 9 that has anidentification label 15 and has been removed from the pharmaceuticalcontainer holding cassette 4 that holds the pharmaceutical containers 9.The first braking component 14 is provided to the end 13 a of themovement path component 13, and stops a pharmaceutical container thathas moved along the movement path component 13 at a specific location.The movement path component 13 has the movement face 17 that moves alongthe movement path of the pharmaceutical container 9, and the movementface 17 has the contact component 18 that comes into contact with thepharmaceutical container 9. The cassette dispensing operation step S200involves taking the pharmaceutical container 9 out to the removal head 8side. The rotation commencement step S302, the movement face 17 involvesmoving. The first identification label reading step S303 involvesreading the identification label 15 on the pharmaceutical container 9whose movement after removal has been stopped at a specific location bythe first braking component 14.

In the first identification label reading step S303, the identificationlabel 15 is read while the pharmaceutical container 9 is rotated at thespecific location by the movement of the movement face 17.

Consequently, movement of a pharmaceutical container 9 that has movedalong the movement path component 13 is stopped at a specific locationby the first braking component 14, and the pharmaceutical container 9 isrotated by the contact component 18 had by the movement face 17. Thatis, since the movement face 17 moves along the movement path of thepharmaceutical container 9, the pharmaceutical container 9 can besmoothly rotated by the contact component 18.

Therefore, the identification label 15 can be pointed in the directionof the sensor 16, the performance of the sensor 16 in reading theidentification label 15 on the pharmaceutical container 9 can beimproved, and this results in better reliability.

(3-13)

The method for controlling the pharmaceutical dispensing apparatus inthis embodiment comprises the first drive step S500 (an example of afirst drive step), the container detection step S600 (an example of acontainer detection step), and the second drive step S700 (an example ofa second drive step). The first drive step S500 involves moving at leastone of the movement path component 13 and the first braking component14, and opening up the space between the movement path component 13 andthe first braking component 14.

The container detection step S600 involves detecting the presence orabsence of a pharmaceutical container 9 at a specific location after thefirst drive step S500. The second drive step S700 involves closing thespace between the movement path component 13 and the first brakingcomponent 14 if no pharmaceutical container 9 was detected in thecontainer detection step S600.

Consequently, this prevents the space between the movement pathcomponent 13 and the first braking component 14 from being closed ifpharmaceutical container 9 has not dropped into the holding pocket 12from the specific location, etc., and this helps avoid damage to thepharmaceutical container 9 and so forth.

(3-14)

The method for controlling the pharmaceutical dispensing apparatus inthis embodiment comprises the vibrator drive step S601 (an example of avibration step). The vibrator drive step S601 involves vibrating atleast one of the movement path component 13 and the first brakingcomponent 14 if a pharmaceutical container 9 was detected in thecontainer detection step S600.

Consequently, even if pharmaceutical container 9 has not dropped downthrough the space between the movement path component 13 and the firstbraking component 14, vibration can be applied to drop thatpharmaceutical container 9 into the holding pocket 12. Accordingly,there is no need for the user to take out the pharmaceutical container9, etc., which makes the apparatus more convenient to use.

4. Other Embodiments

(A)

Other embodiments related to the movement faces 17 and 19 will now bediscussed.

(A-1)

With the removal head 8 in the above embodiment, the angles of themovement face 17 and the movement face 19 are fixed, but theconfiguration may be such that at least one of the angle of the movementface 17 and the angle of the movement face 19 can be varied according tothe type of pharmaceutical container 9.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of an angle variation component 410 that varies atleast one of the angle of the movement face 17 and the angle of themovement face 19. As shown in FIG. 14, the angle variation component 410has a movement-side angle variation component 411 that can vary theangle of the movement face 17, and a braking-side angle variationcomponent 412 that can vary the angle of the movement face 19.

The arm 28′ shown in FIG. 14 is different from the arm 28 shown in FIG.4, and is configured such that it is separated into two members, namely,a first member 28 a′ and a second member 28 b′, and the angle formed bythe first member 28 a′ and the second member 28 b′ can be adjusted. Thefirst member 28 a′ and the second member 28 b′ are in the form ofslender, thin plates, and the first member 28 a′ is attached rotatablyaround a rotational shaft 411 a to the lower end of the second member 28b′. The first member 28 a′ is disposed along the movement path component13, and is fixed to the movement path component 13.

The movement-side angle variation component 411 has the above-mentionedrotational shaft 411 a, an angle adjustment slot 411 b, and a bolt 411c. The angle adjustment slot 411 b is formed on the opposite side fromthe movement path component 13, using the rotational shaft 411 a of thefirst member 28 a′ as a reference. The angle adjustment slot 411 b isformed in a substantially arced shape centered on the rotational shaft411 a. The bolt 411 c is fitted into the angle adjustment slot 411 b,and is fixed to the second member 28 b′. When the bolt 411 c is loose,the first member 28 a′ can be rotated up and down around the rotationalshaft 411 a (see the arrow G). The first member 28 a′ can be fixed atthe desired angle with respect to the second member 28 b′ by tighteningthe bolt 411 c after adjusting to the desired angle. This allows themovement face 17 linked to the first member 28 a′ to be fixed at thedesired angle as well.

The arm 29′ is similar in that it is different from the arm 29 shown inFIG. 4, and is configured such that it is separated into two members,namely, a first member 29 a′ and a second member 29 b′, and the angleformed by the first member 29 a′ and the second member 29 b′ can beadjusted. The first member 29 a′ and the second member 29 b′ are also inthe form of slender, thin plates, and the first member 29 a′ is attachedrotatably around a rotational shaft 412 a to the lower end of the secondmember 29 b′. The first member 29 a′ is disposed along the first brakingcomponent 14, and is fixed to the first braking component 14.

The braking-side angle variation component 412 has the above-mentionedrotational shaft 412 a, an angle adjustment slot 412 b, and a bolt 412c. The angle adjustment slot 412 b is formed on the opposite side fromthe first braking component 14, using the rotational shaft 412 a of thefirst member 29 a′ as a reference. The angle adjustment slot 412 b isformed in a substantially arced shape centered on the rotational shaft412 a. The bolt 412 c is fitted into the angle adjustment slot 412 b,and is fixed to the second member 29 b′. When the bolt 412 c is loose,the first member 29 a′ can be rotated up and down around the rotationalshaft 412 a (see the arrow H). The first member 29 a′ can be fixed atthe desired angle with respect to the second member 29 b′ by tighteningthe bolt 412 c after adjusting to the desired angle. This allows themovement face 19 linked to the first member 29 a′ to be fixed at thedesired angle as well.

FIGS. 15a to 15c show the state when the angles of the movement face 17and the movement face 19 have been varied. FIG. 15b is the same as thestate in FIG. 14. In FIG. 15a , the bolt 411 c is located at the lowerend of the angle adjustment slot 411 b, the movement face 17 is at itsgreatest inclination, and the angle is acute. The bolt 412 c is alsolocated at the lower end of the angle adjustment slot 412 b, themovement face 19 is at its greatest inclination, and the angle is acute.

In FIG. 15c , the bolt 411 c is located at the upper end of the angleadjustment slot 411 b, the movement face 17 is at its least inclination,and the angle is shallow. The bolt 412 c is also located at the upperend of the angle adjustment slot 412 b, the movement face 19 is at itsleast inclination, and the angle is shallow. FIG. 15b shows a state thatis in between those in FIGS. 15a and 15 c.

With this configuration, a pharmaceutical container 9 whose movement hasbeen stopped by the first braking component 14 can be more reliablybrought into contact with the contact component 18 of the movement face17 according to the shape of the pharmaceutical container 9, and thepharmaceutical container 9 can be rotated more smoothly.

Furthermore, this configuration is sufficient to stop the movement ofthe pharmaceutical container 9, taking into account the energy producedas the pharmaceutical container 9 rolls down from the pharmaceuticalcontainer holding cassette 4, and the movement of the pharmaceuticalcontainer 9 can be more reliably stopped.

(A-2)

Also, with the removal head 8 in the above embodiment, the speeds of themovement face 17 and the movement face 19 are each constant, but theconfiguration can be such that at least one of the movement speed of themovement face 17 and the movement speed of the movement face 19 can bevaried according to the type of pharmaceutical container 9. For example,as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 16, a speed changing component 420may be provided. The speed changing component 420 has a movement-sidespeed changing component 421 that changes the speed of the movement face17 by changing the rotational speed of the roller 22, and a braking-sidespeed changing component 422 that changes the speed of the movement face19 by changing the rotational speed of the roller 24. This configurationis sufficient to stop the movement of the pharmaceutical container 9,taking into account the energy produced as the pharmaceutical container9 rolls down from the pharmaceutical container holding cassette 4, andthe movement of the pharmaceutical container 9 can be more reliablystopped.

(A-3)

Also, at least one of the contact component 18 and the contact component20 may be an elastic body.

Also, at least one of the contact component 18 and the contact component20 may be configured such that the surface thereof is textured.

The result of this is that a pharmaceutical container 9 whose movementhas been stopped by the first braking component 14 can be more reliablybrought into contact with at least one of the contact component 18 andthe contact component 20 according to the shape of the pharmaceuticalcontainer 9, and the pharmaceutical container 9 can be rotated moresmoothly.

(B)

In the above embodiment, the sensor 16 read only the identificationlabel 15 on the pharmaceutical container 9, but may also read otheridentification labels in addition to reading the identification label15.

For instance, the configuration may be such that the pharmaceuticalcontainer holding cassette 4 has an identification label 35 (an exampleof a second identification label), and this identification label 35 (seeFIG. 4) is also read by the sensor 16.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a configuration that allows the sensor16 to read both the identification label 15 and the identification label35.

As shown in FIG. 17, the sensor 16 is configured such that a pivotmechanism 39 allows it to move to a position P1 where the identificationlabel 15 on the pharmaceutical container 9 is read, and to a position P2where the identification label 35 on the pharmaceutical containerholding cassette 4 is read. Specifically, the detection direction of thesensor 16 is switched by the pivot mechanism 39. In FIG. 17, the sensor16 at the position P1 is indicated by a two-dot chain line, and thesensor 16 at the position P2 is indicated by a solid line. With theconfiguration shown in FIG. 17, the pivot mechanism 39 is constituted bya motor or the like, and the sensor 16 is configured to be rotatable(see the arrow F). Also, the pivot mechanism 39 is connected to thecontroller 40, and the orientation of the sensor 16 is controlled by thecontroller 40.

Doing this allows the pharmaceutical container 9 and the pharmaceuticalcontainer holding cassette 4 to be identified by a single sensor 16, sothe resulting apparatus can be configured more rationally, with smallersize, lighter weight, and so on.

(C)

With the pharmaceutical dispensing apparatus in the above embodiment,the roller 22, the roller 24, the driver 27, the operating component 11,the braking driver 36, the container detector 30, and the sensor 16provided to the removal head 8 are controlled by the controller 40,which is provided separately from the removal head 8, but as shown inFIG. 18, the removal head 8 may have a controller 401 that controls theroller 22, the roller 24, the driver 27, the operating component 11, thebraking driver 36, the container detector 30, and the sensor 16. In thiscase, the pharmaceutical dispensing apparatus also comprises acontroller 402 that is provided separately from the removal head 8 andcontrols the removal head movement component 31, the vibrator 32, and soon. The controller 401 of the removal head 8 sends and receives signalsto and from the controller 402, while controlling the roller 22, theroller 24, the driver 27, the operating component 11, the braking driver36, the container detector 30, and the sensor 16.

(D)

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a configuration is described in whichthe vibrator 32 is provided to the removal head movement component 31that moves the removal head 8, this vibrator 32 is vibrated, and theentire removal head 8 is vibrated, but this is not the only option.

The configuration may be such that a vibrator is provided so as tovibrate at least one of the movement path component 13 and the firstbraking component 14. That is, the removal head 8 may be configured, forexample, such that a vibrator is provided to at least one of themovement path component 13 and the first braking component 14. In thiscase, as shown in FIG. 18, when the removal head 8 has the controller401, the vibrator attached to the movement path component 13 or thefirst braking component 14 may be controlled by the controller 401.

(E)

In the above embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the second brakingcomponent 33 was configured so as to rotate, but the second brakingcomponent 33 is not limited to a configuration in which it rotates, andmay be configured so as to move in the lengthwise direction of thesecond braking component 33. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 19, abraking driver 360 may move a linking component 380 upward at an angle(see the arrow C), so that the end 34 of the second braking component 33moves away from the area near the guide path 37. In this case, theheight d2 by which the end 34 of the second braking component 33 movesaway from the guide path 37 should be greater than the diameter of thepharmaceutical container 9.

Also, in the above embodiment, the second braking component 33 isprovided near the upper face of the guide path 37, but may instead beprovided near the movement face 17 of the movement path component 13,and may temporarily stop the pharmaceutical container 9 on the movementface 17.

(F)

In the above embodiment, the second braking component 33 is provided totemporarily stop the movement of the pharmaceutical container 9, and themovement speed of the pharmaceutical container 9 is reduced as itreaches the contact component 20 of the first braking component 14, butthis effect can also be achieved without providing a driver to thesecond braking component 33.

Specifically, the elasticity of the second braking component 33 shouldbe suitably set on the basis of the movement energy of thepharmaceutical container 9 as it rolls down from the pharmaceuticalcontainer holding cassette 4. That is, the elasticity may be set so thatthe moving pharmaceutical container 9 hits the second braking component33, the movement speed of the pharmaceutical container 9 is reduced bythe elasticity of the second braking component 33 itself, and then thepharmaceutical container 9 passes through the second braking component33 without coming to a complete stop.

The pharmaceutical dispensing unit, the pharmaceutical dispensingapparatus comprising this unit, and the method for controlling apharmaceutical dispensing apparatus of the present invention improveperformance in the reading of an identification label on apharmaceutical container, and as a result reliability can be enhanced.Therefore, it is fully anticipated that the present invention will finduse as a pharmaceutical dispensing unit utilized to improve efficiencyin hospital work, and as a pharmaceutical dispensing apparatus equippedwith this unit.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   -   1 main cabinet    -   2 front door    -   3 cassette mounting slot    -   4 pharmaceutical container holding cassette (an example of a        cassette)    -   5 tray    -   6 storage compartment    -   7 storage compartment    -   8 removal head (an example of a pharmaceutical dispensing unit)    -   9 pharmaceutical container    -   10 removal lever    -   11 operating component    -   12 holding pocket (an example of a holding component)    -   13 movement path component    -   13 a end    -   14 first braking component (an example of a first braking        component)    -   15 identification label    -   16 sensor    -   17 movement face (an example of a first movement face)    -   18 contact component (an example of a first contact component)    -   19 movement face (an example of a second movement face)    -   20 contact component (an example of a second contact component)    -   21 roller (an example of a first roller)    -   22 roller (an example of a second roller)    -   23 first belt    -   23A end    -   24 roller (an example of a third roller)    -   25 roller (an example of a fourth roller)    -   26 second belt    -   26A end    -   27 driver (an example of a driver)    -   28 arm (an example of a first arm)    -   28 a first member    -   28 b second member    -   28 s rotational shaft    -   29 arm (an example of a second arm)    -   29 a first member    -   29 b second member    -   29 s rotational shaft    -   30 container detector    -   30 a light projector    -   30 b light receiver    -   31 removal head movement component (an example of a movement        component)    -   32 vibrator    -   33 second braking component (an example of a second braking        component)    -   34 end    -   35 identification label (an example of a second identification        label)    -   36 braking driver    -   37 guide path    -   38 linking component    -   38 a shaft    -   39 pivot mechanism    -   40 controller    -   360 braking driver    -   380 linking component    -   401 controller    -   402 controller    -   410 angle variation component    -   411 movement-side angle variation component    -   412 braking-side angle variation component    -   420 speed changing component    -   421 movement-side speed changing component    -   422 braking-side speed changing component

The invention claimed is:
 1. A pharmaceutical dispensing unit,comprising: a movement path component that moves a substantiallycylindrical pharmaceutical container that has a first identificationlabel and has been taken out of a cassette in which the pharmaceuticalcontainer is housed; a first braking component that is provided to theend of the movement path component and that stops the pharmaceuticalcontainer that has come along the movement path component at a specificlocation; and a sensor that reads the first identification label on thepharmaceutical container whose movement has been stopped at the specificlocation by the first braking component, wherein the movement pathcomponent has a first movement face that moves in a rotational directionalong a movement path of the pharmaceutical container, the firstmovement face is an inclined surface and has a first contact componentthat comes into contact with the pharmaceutical container, thepharmaceutical container rolling down the inclined surface of the firstmovement face and moving in a rotational direction while in contact withfirst contact component of the first movement face, and the firstmovement face moves in the rotational direction which in an oppositedirection from the rotational direction of the pharmaceutical containerwhile the pharmaceutical container moves along the movement path.
 2. Thepharmaceutical dispensing unit according to claim 1, wherein the firstbraking component has a second movement face that moves in a rotationaldirection that is an opposite direction from the movement direction ofthe pharmaceutical container, and the second movement face has a secondcontact component that comes into contact with the pharmaceuticalcontainer.
 3. The pharmaceutical dispensing unit according to claim 2,further comprising an angle changing component that changes at least oneof an angle of the first movement face and an angle of the secondmovement face according to an identification of the pharmaceuticalcontainer.
 4. The pharmaceutical dispensing unit according to claim 2,further comprising a speed changing component that changes at least oneof a movement speed of the first movement face and a movement speed ofthe second movement face according to an identification of thepharmaceutical container.
 5. The pharmaceutical dispensing unitaccording to claim 2, wherein the first braking component has: a thirdroller that is provided to the rear of the first movement face in themovement direction of the pharmaceutical container; a fourth roller thatis provided at a location to the rear of the third roller and above thethird roller; and a second belt that goes between the third roller andthe fourth roller, and the second movement face is formed by driving atleast one of the third roller and the fourth roller so that the secondbelt is rotated between the third roller and the fourth roller.
 6. Thepharmaceutical dispensing unit according to claim 2, wherein themovement path component has: a first roller that is provided between thecassette and the first braking component, closer to the cassette; asecond roller that is provided at a location lower than the first rollerand closer to the first braking component than the first roller; and afirst belt that goes between the first roller and the second roller, thefirst movement face is formed by driving at least one of the firstroller and the second roller so that the first belt is rotated betweenthe first roller and the second roller, the first braking component has:a third roller that is provided to the rear of the first movement facein the movement direction of the pharmaceutical container; a fourthroller that is provided at a location to the rear of the third rollerand above the third roller; and a second belt that goes between thethird roller and the fourth roller, the second movement face is formedby driving at least one of the third roller and the fourth roller sothat the second belt is rotated between the third roller and the fourthroller, a plurality of the first belts are provided, and these firstbelts go between the first roller and the second roller at a specificspacing, and a plurality of the second belts are provided, and thesesecond belts go between the third roller and the fourth roller at aspecific spacing.
 7. The pharmaceutical dispensing unit according toclaim 6, wherein the ends of the first belts are placed within thespecific spacing of the second belts; the ends of the second belts areplaced within the specific spacing of the first belts, and the ends ofthe first belts and the ends of the second belts intersect when viewedfrom a direction parallel to both the first movement face and the secondmovement face.
 8. The pharmaceutical dispensing unit according to claim1, wherein the movement path component has: a first roller that isprovided between the cassette and the first braking component, closer tothe cassette; a second roller that is provided at a location lower thanthe first roller and closer to the first braking component than thefirst roller; and a first belt that goes between the first roller andthe second roller, and the first movement face is formed by driving atleast one of the first roller and the second roller so that the firstbelt is rotated between the first roller and the second roller.
 9. Thepharmaceutical dispensing unit according to claim 1, further comprising:a driver that produces a specific gap between the first brakingcomponent and the end of the movement path component; and a holdingcompartment that is provided under the first braking component to housethe pharmaceutical container that has dropped through the specific gapproduced by the driver.
 10. The pharmaceutical dispensing unit accordingto claim 1, further comprising: a driver that moves at least one of themovement path component and the first braking component and opens andcloses a space between the movement path component and the first brakingcomponent, thereby dropping the pharmaceutical container; a containerdetector that detects the presence or absence of the pharmaceuticalcontainer at the specific location; and a controller that controls thedriver according to a detection result of the container detector. 11.The pharmaceutical dispensing unit according to claim 10, wherein thecontroller puts the space between the movement path component and thefirst braking component in an open state, and puts the space between themovement path component and the first braking component in a closedstate when the container detector has detected that there is nopharmaceutical container.
 12. The pharmaceutical dispensing unitaccording to claim 10, further comprising a vibrator that vibrates atleast one of the movement path component and the first brakingcomponent, wherein the controller puts the space between the movementpath component and the first braking component in an open state, anddrives the vibrator when the container detector has detected that thereis a pharmaceutical container.
 13. The pharmaceutical dispensing unitaccording to claim 12, wherein the controller puts the space between themovement path component and the first braking component in a closedstate when the container detector has detected that there is nopharmaceutical container after the vibrator has been driven.
 14. Apharmaceutical dispensing apparatus equipped with the pharmaceuticaldispensing unit according to claim
 1. 15. A pharmaceutical dispensingapparatus, comprising: the pharmaceutical dispensing unit according toclaim 1, further having a driver that moves at least one of the movementpath component and the first braking component and opens or closes aspace between the movement path component and the first brakingcomponent, thereby dropping the pharmaceutical container, and acontainer detector that detects the presence or absence of thepharmaceutical container at the specific location; and a controller thatcontrols the driver according to a detection result of the containerdetector.
 16. The pharmaceutical dispensing apparatus according to claim15, further comprising a vibrator that vibrates at least one of themovement path component and the first braking component, wherein thecontroller puts the space between the movement path component and thefirst braking component in an open state, and drives the vibrator whenthe container detector has detected that there is a pharmaceuticalcontainer.
 17. The pharmaceutical dispensing apparatus according toclaim 16, further comprising a movement component that moves thepharmaceutical dispensing unit, wherein the vibrator is provided to themovement component, and vibrates the pharmaceutical dispensing unit. 18.A method for controlling a pharmaceutical dispensing apparatus equippedwith a pharmaceutical dispensing unit having: a movement path componentfor moving a substantially cylindrical pharmaceutical container that hasa first identification label indicating pharmaceutical information andthat has been taken out of a cassette in which the pharmaceuticalcontainer is housed; and a first braking component that is provided tothe end of the movement path component and that stops the pharmaceuticalcontainer that has come along the movement path component at a specificlocation, the movement path component having a first movement face thatmoves in a rotational direction along the movement path of thepharmaceutical container, and the first movement face having an inclinedsurface and a first contact component that comes into contact with thepharmaceutical container, the pharmaceutical container rolling down theinclined surface of the first movement face and moving in a rotationaldirection while in contact with first contact component of the firstmovement face, and the first movement face moves in the rotationaldirection which in an opposite direction from the rotational directionof the pharmaceutical container while the pharmaceutical container movesalong the movement path, the method comprising: a removal step ofremoving the pharmaceutical container to the pharmaceutical dispensingunit side; a movement step of moving the first movement face in arotational direction; a reading step of reading the first identificationlabel of the pharmaceutical container whose movement after removal hasbeen stopped at the specific location by the first braking component; afirst drive step of moving at least one of the movement path componentand the first braking component and opening a space between the movementpath component and the first braking component; a container detectionstep of detecting the presence or absence of the pharmaceuticalcontainer at the specific location after the first drive step; and asecond drive step of closing the space between the movement pathcomponent and the first braking component if it is detected in thecontainer detection step that there is no pharmaceutical container,wherein, in the reading step, the reading of the first identificationlabel is performed while the pharmaceutical container is rotated at thespecific location by the movement of the first movement face.
 19. Themethod for controlling a pharmaceutical dispensing apparatus accordingto claim 18, further comprising a vibration step of vibrating at leastone of the movement path component and the first braking component if itis detected in the container detection step that there is apharmaceutical container.